Jeff Mullen 2017 Week 2 Delaware High School Picks

[JeffMullen]

Friday, September 15th

21 Franklin, MD at Smyrna 34

14 McKean at Glasgow 28

21 St. Mark's at Caravel 14

21 Wilmington Charter at A. I. DuPont 35

21 First State Military Academy at Seaford 28

14 Polytech at Indian River 28

21 Delaware Military Academy at Milford 14

14 St. Georges Tech at Caesar Rodney 21

21 St. Andrew's at Red Lion Christian Academy 28

14 Laurel at St. Elizabeth 21

28 Salesianum at Sussex Tech 14

7 Dover at Woodbridge 28

28 Tower Hill at Perkiomen, PA 21

14 Sussex Central at Queen Anne's County, MD 21

21 Delmar at St. Mary's, MD 28

14 Suitland, MD vs. Cape Henlopen 21

Saturday, September 16th

14 Newark at Concord 35

28 Appoquinimink at Delcastle Vo-Tech 7

35 Middletown at William Penn 14

7 Christiana at Brandywine 28

7 Dickinson at Mount Pleasant 28

28 Archmere Academy at Conrad Science 21

21 Howard at Hodgson Vo-Tech 14

28 Lake Forest at Tatnall 21

7 Academy of the New Church, PA at Wilmington Friends 28

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

Are you assuming Smyrna plays a different QB this week?

 

[ravensrooster2]

hey Franklin dropped from 10 to 19 this week in the Md poll.. Kind of a harsh drop for stepping up and playing Dematha IMO

 

[HSftballlaxFan]

Some quick tidbits.....

Is there any way Franklin can upset Smyrna? Or is Smyrna that much better?

Personally, I think Sallies runs Sussex Tech out off their own field.

Howard and Hodgson will be close but watching the game against Central, I think Howard eventually wins by two scores.

 

[ravensrooster2]

I don't think Franklin beating Smyrna would be an upset. To me the game is a toss up where you give the edge to the home team. Lets not forget Franklin has been in 3 of the last 4 3A state championship games and won 2. 3A in Md is a tough division . This years team may not be as good as 2013 and 2014 teams but they are no slouch of a program. Same for Smyrna I don't think this years team is a good as the previous two years but that was almost guaranteed with Henderson graduating.

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

I don't think Franklin beating Smyrna would be an upset. To me the game is a toss up where you give the edge to the home team. Lets not forget Franklin has been in 3 of the last 4 3A state championship games and won 2. 3A in Md is a tough division . This years team may not be as good as 2012 and 2013 teams but they are no slouch of a program. Same for Smyrna I don't think this years team is a good as the previous two years but that was almost guaranteed with Henderson graduating.

As a smyrna fan I hope the coaches change their approach from last week a bit. And by a bit I mean a lot.

 

[Uncle Bumfuzzled]

I think Penn will put Middletown. The Colonials may not win but this should be a fairly close one.

The long bus ride to Georgetown will take its toll on the Slowskys....upset city...

 

[ravensrooster2]

lol Bummy you and those bus rides.. Nether one of those things will happen.. Penn won't come close to beating MT and Slowskys are going to crush Tech

 

[youjustme]

As a smyrna fan I hope the coaches change their approach from last week a bit. And by a bit I mean a lot.

After calming down from last week's game, I think about it differently now. Sure they could have given Will 35 touches, but it's the first game of the season and the last game matters more. With the qb getting more seasoned, more pieces getting involved, and Will staying healthy, I think Smyrna has a decent chance when the dust clears. I would have rather the coaches try harder to win the game, and then develop qb, but I'm going to have to trust them. Losing might prove to be a blessing in disguise since they are working much harder now and I believe that will play more up to their potential. I also think Franklin is a toss up, although I don't know much about them.

 

[VoiceofReason247]

Pickle are you a Philadelphia Eagles fan as well. Trying to bench the QB kind of early. Didn't get to watch the second half of the game yet but Wilson didn't play poorly in the first half. That offensive line played like trash they weren't holding blocks in run or pass plays. Smyrna will lose this weekend if the OL plays like they did at least the first half against MT and they definitely will not repeat. Unfortunately for the kid Nolan was that good so expectations are high but from what I saw in the first half it will not be his fault they lose.

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

Pickle are you a Philadelphia Eagles fan as well. Trying to bench the QB kind of early. Didn't get to watch the second half of the game yet but Wilson didn't play poorly in the first half. That offensive line played like trash they weren't holding blocks in run or pass plays. Smyrna will lose this weekend if the OL plays like they did at least the first half against MT and they definitely will not repeat. Unfortunately for the kid Nolan was that good so expectations are high but from what I saw in the first half it will not be his fault they lose.

Child you crazy. I feel like he will get better and I'm rooting for him but the play in that game was baaaaaaaad.

 

[Uncle Bumfuzzled]

You can't use Nolan Henderson as a model that is unfair to any mere mortal. If he adds some muscle in this redshirt freshmen year and gets time next year he is a 3 year starter at worse. He reminds me of Bill Vergantino.
Does anybody remember who Vergantino's back up was at Delaware?

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

Smyrna needs to play that freshman QB. Everyone is saying he the truth. Bigly truth

 

[Uncle Bumfuzzled]

Smyrna needs to play that freshman QB. Everyone is saying he the truth. Bigly truth

Would the freshmen QB be a game manager or would he actually be able to lead that group. That is a lot to put on a 9th grade kid...

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

Would the freshmen QB be a game manager or would he actually be able to lead that group. That is a lot to put on a 9th grade kid...

I'm hearing he's truthful

 

[Uncle Bumfuzzled]

I'm hearing he's truthful

Being truthful is real important. I think we have kind of lost sight of that 8th commandment. It kind of starts with little white lies and then people just make stuff up. It is a deeply embedded cultural problem. Look at the "fake news" issue. If the young man is truthful it is also a sign of good parenting.

I can't wait to see him in action next year and wish him all the best.....

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

Being truthful is real important. I think we have kind of lost sight of that 8th commandment. It kind of starts with little white lies and then people just make stuff up. It is a deeply embedded cultural problem. Look at the "fake news" issue. If the young man is truthful it is also a sign of good parenting.

I can't wait to see him in action next year and wish him all the best.....

If by next year you mean by game 4....

 

[youjustme]

Smyrna needs to play that freshman QB. Everyone is saying he the truth. Bigly truth

Isn't this where some jerk rudely, and unnecessarily, post a silly comment like..."Ok, give it a rest "freshman qb dad" or some other insensitive comment to suggest that the person boosting a kid on a forum has to be somehow related to that kid? It never fails but I just hope for once that no one dares to stoop that low and maintains the high road. Fingers crossed.

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

Isn't this where some jerk rudely, and unnecessarily, post a silly comment like..."Ok, give it a rest "freshman qb dad" or some other insensitive comment to suggest that the person boosting a kid on a forum has to be somehow related to that kid? It never fails but I just hope for once that no one dares to stoop that low and maintains the high road. Fingers crossed.

Oh I'm not that kids dad. Or mom. I don't even know his name, that's the truth. You think I've been posting on here for a couple years just to gain the respect of everyone on here (which ive done, you all respect me to the utmost) so that in a couple years I could root for my kid? Come on meow. Thought you were smarter than that.

 

[ravensrooster2]

Truthfully speaking I have faith in knowing if the freshman gave the Eagles a better chance to win they would start him The Xfer QB is in a tough spot following up a legend and trying to learn a complicated offense in one summer. I personally think the issue is not one of talent but development . Which in either case both the Sr xfer and the freshman is in the same boat. In that case roll with the Sr. unless you are preparing for next year and beyond

 

[ravensrooster2]

When you look at the numbers Wilson was 7-14 33yds 1int and a 26 QB rating. Smyrna had 345 total yds of offense and 314 of them was Knight rushing of which 200 or so came on his 4 long td runs. Sans those 4 break a ways Smyrna did nothing on O. VOR was right. The line stunk. They didn't drive and most plays got stuffed. Just 4 plays where the best player on the field broke one off. Just like rec league games

If your offense is dependant on your best player breaking off long td runs you can win some games and a ship in in rec but not in High School maybe D2 in Delaware not D1. Franklin has seen many D1 backs as good or if not better than Knight and they have the speed and size where if Knight gets second level its not a TD like against Middletown or other DE teams.

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

When you look at the numbers Wilson was 7-14 33yds 1int and a 26 QB rating. Smyrna had 345 total yds of offense and 314 of them was Knight rushing of which 200 or so came on his 4 long td runs. Sans those 4 break a ways Smyrna did nothing on O. VOR was right. The line stunk. They didn't drive and most plays got stuffed. Just 4 plays where the best player on the field broke one off. Just like rec league games

If your offense is dependant on your best player breaking off long td runs you can win some games and a ship in in rec but not in High School maybe D2 in Delaware not D1. Franklin has seen many D1 backs as good or if not better than Knight and they have the speed and size where if Knight gets second level its not a TD like against Middletown or other DE teams.

I would agree with you if Knight was stuffed all night and broke one long run. Or two. Breaking 4 though....kinda a trend. If my QB was averaging 2.5 yards an attempt and if my RB was breaking a 70 yard run once every 6 touches...I would have stuck the ball in my RBs belly 6 more times and had it in the QBs hands 6 less times.

And I agree maybe they learn more from this loss than they would from a win but I wanted that win. And what I want matters most

 

[ravensrooster2]

Point was counting on Knight to break 4 or 5 long TD runs a game won't cut it. MTown was still respecting the pass game. Now everyone knows not to and will focus on Knight soley. Not saying Knight wont have his runs but against good teams they will be limited Especially with a poorous line

 

[baseballer46]

No way Smyrna will bench their QB this early.

 

[XVikingkid]

Smyrna will make a statement tonight I'm sure. One loss isn't going to slow that coaching staff and team down.

 

[VoiceofReason247]

Child you crazy. I feel like he will get better and I'm rooting for him but the play in that game was baaaaaaaad.

So I watched the rest of the game and if you call Wilson's play bad you shouldn't be commenting on anyone's QB. Wilson did what was asked of him. Now the question is did the coaches call plays because they weren't confident in him or was that their game plan because passing wise it sucked. They asked the kid to throw a bunch of smokes, bubbles, and go routes. MT was flying to the ball and RAC yds were little to none. They throw one out and one hitch and both of those passes were dropped. Route running wise they didn't make MT cover and the OL didn't give Wilson time. Even the INT he had to roll out because they got pressure up the middle with a 3 man rush, unacceptable. Now the pass was ill advised but why when it is 1st down in the mid way through the 4th quarter and your down 7 and your first play is 5 verticals....smh. Like was said befor eyou have a running back with 317 yards and you do that. MT was defending the run with 5-6 players which shouldn't happen running an RPO offense and Smyrna didn't adjust their blocking or play calling to capitalize.

Blum obviously has Judy or who ever is the offensive coordinator's number. The last two games Smyrna has done enough to win but it was do to the play of RBs being great not playcalling. Championship it was "Earthquake", Friday it was Knight and poor MT defense. The first 2 TDs MT gave up were doomed before the snap just because of alignment. Smyrna's D play great good championship Friday night too many missed tackles and blown assignments.

Nolan championship stat line
1-5 4yds 20% completion 1 INT (0.0 QBR) 8 rushes 28yds

Wilsons stat line Friday
7-14 33yds 50% completion 1INT (26.5 QBR) 7rushes -7 yds

So how bad was Wilson really???

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

So I watched the rest of the game and if you call Wilson's play bad you shouldn't be commenting on anyone's QB. Wilson did what was asked of him. Now the question is did the coaches call plays because they weren't confident in him or was that their game plan because passing wise it sucked. They asked the kid to throw a bunch of smokes, bubbles, and go routes. MT was flying to the ball and RAC yds were little to none. They throw one out and one hitch and both of those passes were dropped. Route running wise they didn't make MT cover and the OL didn't give Wilson time. Even the INT he had to roll out because they got pressure up the middle with a 3 man rush, unacceptable. Now the pass was ill advised but why when it is 1st down in the mid way through the 4th quarter and your down 7 and your first play is 5 verticals....smh. Like was said befor eyou have a running back with 317 yards and you do that. MT was defending the run with 5-6 players which shouldn't happen running an RPO offense and Smyrna didn't adjust their blocking or play calling to capitalize.

Blum obviously has Judy or who ever is the offensive coordinator's number. The last two games Smyrna has done enough to win but it was do to the play of RBs being great not playcalling. Championship it was "Earthquake", Friday it was Knight and poor MT defense. The first 2 TDs MT gave up were doomed before the snap just because of alignment. Smyrna's D play great good championship Friday night too many missed tackles and blown assignments.

Nolan championship stat line
1-5 4yds 20% completion 1 INT (0.0 QBR) 8 rushes 28yds

Wilsons stat line Friday
7-14 33yds 50% completion 1INT (26.5 QBR) 7rushes -7 yds

So how bad was Wilson really???

Pretty bad.

 

[bbmvp]

Considering these are Jeff's picks, shouldn't we be discussing who beats who this week and not continue knocking Wilson at QB? I get he struggled, but how about you either agree or disagree with the Smyrna pick and move on to another game. Or argue why your opinion is different. Smyrna is back to back state champs and I get that, but their are more teams in the state then them. Especially when they aren't even playing a team from Delaware this week....just saying. You can agree or disagree with me and I could careless, but this is turning into a Smyrna forum, not DE Football

 

[VoiceofReason247]

Pretty bad.

Then how bad was Nolan?

 

[youjustme]

Then how bad was Nolan?

Are you really going to compare these two qbs based on one game. You could have picked literally ANY other game in Nolan's career and the comparison would have been ugly. Wilson will hopefully develop but when you try to compare him head to head with Nolan...come on man!

 

[GateKeeperRefugee]

Considering these are Jeff's picks, shouldn't we be discussing who beats who this week and not continue knocking Wilson at QB? I get he struggled, but how about you either agree or disagree with the Smyrna pick and move on to another game. Or argue why your opinion is different. Smyrna is back to back state champs and I get that, but their are more teams in the state then them. Especially when they aren't even playing a team from Delaware this week....just saying. You can agree or disagree with me and I could careless, but this is turning into a Smyrna forum, not DE Football

Agreed. Or at least start a separate thread about Smyrna football if that's your desire. This post should be about who we thinks wins this weekend's games.

That said, I agree with all of Jeff's picks, though something tells me Conrad is going to give Archmere fits and could possibly swing that game the other way...and I think Dickinson beats Mount Pleasant.

 

[VoiceofReason247]

Are you really going to compare these two qbs based on one game. You could have picked literally ANY other game in Nolan's career and the comparison would have been ugly. Wilson will hopefully develop but when you try to compare him head to head with Nolan...come on man!

youjustme... not trying to compare Nolan to Wilson directly. Not a fair comparison. Nolan is better hands down, more polished, more experienced especially in that system. I was mainly pointing out to the Eagles fan Pickle that directly blaming the lost on Wilson's lack of production as him having a bad game or poor showing when the truth is Smyrna had a very simplistic passing game plan and in 2 games against Middletown it was exposed. Smyrna is not that good this season outside of Knight. It's clear by watching the game the main difference between Friday's game and the championship was Middetown's offensive production and Smyrna had a lack of defensive production.

Examples Whitehead had 2 long TD runs virtually untouched. He didn't have that kind of room in championship. Nicky Johnston's 2 TDs catches, the 1st one he zigged and zagged through the defense like he was techmo bowl. The second TD he broke 2 tackles the last on by the CB who had him wrapped up and he ran through that to score that didn't happen in the championship. Then a blown coverage on 3rd and 8+. Fry had all the time in the world sitting in the pocket or rolling looking for receivers. That didn't happen in the championship but Pickle wants to say a kid that has enough pressure on him by stepping in behind a 2x state champion QB played bad when really his Eagles are no longer the consensus #1 team is pathetic.

So to bbmvp's post I believe Smyrna will lose to Franklin because simply they are not the better team even if they may have the best player on the field in some cases it isn't enough.

*BOLD STATEMENT ALERT*
I have to get info on Irvington but if they are any good Smyrna could go 0-3 and week 9 match with Sallies could be between two 5-3 teams.

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

youjustme... not trying to compare Nolan to Wilson directly. Not a fair comparison. Nolan is better hands down, more polished, more experienced especially in that system. I was mainly pointing out to the Eagles fan Pickle that directly blaming the lost on Wilson's lack of production as him having a bad game or poor showing when the truth is Smyrna had a very simplistic passing game plan and in 2 games against Middletown it was exposed. Smyrna is not that good this season outside of Knight. It's clear by watching the game the main difference between Friday's game and the championship was Middetown's offensive production and Smyrna had a lack of defensive production.

Examples Whitehead had 2 long TD runs virtually untouched. He didn't have that kind of room in championship. Nicky Johnston's 2 TDs catches, the 1st one he zigged and zagged through the defense like he was techmo bowl. The second TD he broke 2 tackles the last on by the CB who had him wrapped up and he ran through that to score that didn't happen in the championship. Then a blown coverage on 3rd and 8+. Fry had all the time in the world sitting in the pocket or rolling looking for receivers. That didn't happen in the championship but Pickle wants to say a kid that has enough pressure on him by stepping in behind a 2x state champion QB played bad when really his Eagles are no longer the consensus #1 team is pathetic.

So to bbmvp's post I believe Smyrna will lose to Franklin because simply they are not the better team even if they may have the best player on the field in some cases it isn't enough.

*BOLD STATEMENT ALERT*
I have to get info on Irvington but if they are any good Smyrna could go 0-3 and week 9 match with Sallies could be between two 5-3 teams.

I didn't blame Wilson. I blame the coaches. Anyone who's been on these threads knows that. I think Wilson is probably okay but he ain't Nolan and the coaches can't do the same things with him that they did with Nolan. That was my original point.

 

[VoiceofReason247]

Agree with all Jeff's picks except

Franklin, MD
Caravel
Milford
St. Georges Tech

 

[VoiceofReason247]

I didn't blame Wilson. I blame the coaches. Anyone who's been on these threads knows that. I think Wilson is probably okay but he ain't Nolan and the coaches can't do the same things with him that they did with Nolan. That was my original point.

Dude the first thing you said when Jeff made his pick for Smyrna to win is "Are you assuming Smyrna plays a different QB this week?" Yes you later said you hope the coaches change their approach but it you have been laying heavy on the kid.

 

[cavaliercharlie]

I like the MT/WP pick. However, I think it will be a little tighter than 34-14. The game breaker will be the MT kicking game, the same as last week, as the game went on, the PAT appeared to get stronger with confidence.

31-21 MT
Go CAVS!

 

[youjustme]

Although my son will be playing in the Smyrna-Franklin game, I'm thinking about going to the Milford game tonight. Old Coach, Jack Simon, getting inducted into HOF. Does Milford have a chance against DMA? If anyone with insight has an opinion, please share.

 

[PickleEveryEndNow]

Although my son will be playing in the Smyrna-Franklin game, I'm thinking about going to the Milford game tonight. Old Coach, Jack Simon, getting inducted into HOF. Does Milford have a chance against DMA? If anyone with insight has an opinion, please share.

I have insight. Milford will win

 

[ravensrooster2]

Lol no you don't pickle. You don't have any insight on anything. As for DMA vs Milford your on your own youjustme. No one knows anything except Bowman will be the best player on the field but DMA knows that as well so we will see how it turns out

 

[bbmvp]

Pretty sure Milford beat DMA last year like 24-0, but Milford lost a lot. In saying that, I'm sure DMA will try to get a little revenge tonight. DMA has always been big up front and a well disciplined team. Should be a good one.

Could Laurel really start off 0-2 after everyone thought they would be a threat in D2?

Sallies is probably going to destroy ST tonight, just an opinion. They always seem to handle them.

St. Georges has beaten CR the past 2 years, but could CR really win their first 2 games?